Top quality puppet theatre for adults

When Danish dramaturge Jette Lund travelled to Norway to help with an experimental puppet theatre performance, both parties came out as winners.

Jette Lund took part in the Floating Characters multimedia performance, a production by Karen Kipphoff that explores the boundaries of digital media and live acting. The production combines ancient Japanese puppet theatre with cutting-edge multimedia technology. The text is based on an absurd script by Soviet writer Alexander Vedensky which deals with the basic problems of life.   

“I was delighted to be able to take part in this production. It was a remarkably special project – multifaceted and artistic. There were, for example, two actors for each puppet, meaning that each character was actually made up of two actors and a puppet. The interaction lifted expression to a whole new level.”

Lund joined the team only ten days before the premiere, but she had an important role in the fine-tuning stage. Her work focused on two aspects, especially: simple and precise movements and choice of music. For her these two elements are essential to ensure that the performance’s highly unique expression was successfully conveyed to the audience.

“I learned a lot, and have later been able to apply the knowledge and enthusiasm I got there in my own work. This has influenced, for example, a production I am presently working on in Denmark. I have also addressed the topic in panel discussions organised by the University of Copenhagen, says Jette Lund.

Jette Lund was granted mobility support from the Mobility and Residency Programme for her stay in Bergen.

Floating Characters was performed in Bergen on 31 August and 1 September 2009.